It is important to signal to these companies that we want our goods to come from sustainable supply chains, even if it may be at a premium. Yet it is also important to reflect and think about where our goods come from before purchasing more.

The process of planting a seed, watering it every day, watching it sprout and grow a wee bit taller everyday is pleasurable by itself. It's even more enjoyable when you get to use your produce in your daily food.

The industry giants have dedicated millions of dollars to massive PR campaigns, going so far as to launch "conscious collections" and donate proceeds to worthy causes. Yet despite these efforts, the truth remains -- fashion is one of the dirtiest industries in the world.

While I never intended on being the face of any social or political movement, distinction, separation or stance as part of my affiliation with SodaStream, given the amount of noise surrounding that decision, I'd like to clear the air.

I suspect the reactions I received when telling people I was moving to Detroit were similar to those one might receive after announcing a plan to move to Yemen or to give up practicing law in order to farm tarantulas. Many just did not understand.

The next time you reach for a candy bar, buy candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters, or stock up for holiday baking, consider the price thousands of children are paying to bring you your chocolaty cheer.

I see our American culture becoming less about conspicuous consumption, and more about "conscious consumerism." Traditional philanthropy is not going to feed the world's hungry, but a more conscious consumer and a more caring entrepreneur just might.

In an arena long defined by unrestrained spending on diamonds, designer dresses and exclusive resorts, the idea of "luxury" is being revised by none other than the United Nations. Who'd have imagined it?

No one can deny that it's better to be less cruel in the ways we confine and kill animals (if we are going to kill and eat them anyway), but if we're interested in long-term change, we can't look at killing with kindness or gratitude as a solution in itself.